Time Flies When You're Having Fun... Or Just REALLY Busy!

To all my dedicated blog readers (mainly just Kristin at the bank! haha):
I am sooo sorry for letting you all down over the past two months.  My last post was June 27th and I apologize.  Catching you all up will be a challenge and there is really no good way to go about this than just throwing a bunch of words at you all and hoping something sticks.  So here it goes...
My summer was absolutely amazing - filled with great Christian community, growth in my own faith, sharing Jesus with others (especially the women at my work), and a whole lot more!  Summer project was definitely stretching and taught me many valuable things such as faith is not a feeling and that we must trust in the truths God has provided us with through His Word.  Ocean City also stretched me in sharing my faith and being bold and courageous in doing so - a lesson that I am continually learning as I am back on campus in Chicago.  After staff left halfway through the summer, every student was assigned a "project job".  Mine happened to be planning our second Women's Conference that I co-led with Ryann from California.  It was amazing to be able to plan something specifically for the women, something that would encourage them and touch their hearts.  Our theme centered around "empowerment" and empowering women to go back to their campuses as they left Ocean City and the comforts of Christian community.  Through summer project, I made lifelong friends that I will never forget.  Before I went on summer project, someone told me that the women I meet on project will be the bridesmaids in my wedding (God-willing).  I didn't believe them at first but after being on project that statement isn't too far off.  :)  How beautiful a friendship bonded in the love of Christ.
Currently, I am in my new apartment on campus at Loyola University in Chi-town.  It is good to be back!  My apartment which I am sharing with three new roommates has a lake view (hard life, isn't it?).  The only downside being that we get absolutely NO cell phone coverage, meaning if you try to reach me and it seems as if I am taking forever to respond or it seems as if I am ignoring you, I'm not.  I probably just didn't get it.  Bummer.  Anyways, it is great to catch up with all the people I last saw nine months ago when I left the States for Spain.  I really think this is going to be a great year - in terms of being involved with Cru, classes, friends, and everything in general.  This first week has been crazy and it has taken me a little bit to get back into the swing of classes and having to do actual work.  My classes are engaging and interesting, however, they are also difficult and challenging (which is what I want, of course, to be challenged).  My busy schedule and class load will make it easy to become stressed and get caught up in finding my value in my performance, which makes keeping an eternal perspective even more important.  (Eternal perspective being the perspective of realizing that the things of this world will not satisfy and do not define us but instead we should look to heaven, where our true treasure lies and to Christ, who is the only one who can truly satisfy us.)
Anyways, it is getting late and I need my sleep so I can be fully functioning tomorrow in class. This weekend I am heading up to Minnesota with Jared and Gina where we will meet up with our families to plan for a wedding and have a little Labor Day fun!  :)
Have a wonderful and safe Labor Day!  Hopefully the next time you read a new post from me won't be two months from now!  
Dos besos,
Sarah
PS  As much as I am enjoying being back in Chicago (let alone, the States), I am truly homesick for Spain and miss the country, the culture, the language, and the people every day.  I am continuing to study up on my español and am trying to secure an intercambio or two for this year!  Echo de menos mucho.  ¡Hasta luego!